American Old Time Song Lyrics: 56 A Picture Of My Best Girl

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 56

A PICTURE OF MY BEST GIRL.
Copyright, 1896, by Bowley, Haviland & Co.
Words and music by Charles Moreland.

In a hotel on Fifth Avenue a crowd of trav'ling men,
Were talking on the topics of the day,
Comparing notes and photographs of dif'rent girls they'd met,
Some were pretty, some were homely, some were gay;
By chance there fell upon the floor the picture of a girl,
The owner tried to hide it, but was slow;
"Ah, there, old chap, I've caught you; come, now, tell as who it It,
We insist" -"If you insist, I can't say no."

Chorus.
It's a picture of my best girl, and boys. I love her dearly,
A gem is my precious pearl, who watches for me so sincerely:
I know that she's fond And true, we are sweethearts, now you can see clearly,
It's my daughter, And I've taught her, to always be my best girl.

A little newsboy standing near them took in ev'ry word,
And speaking up, said: "Buy a paper, do;
If you will, I'll show you my best girl, now what say you to that?"
They all agreed, and then he brought to view
A photograph all faded, of a woman old and worn,
who in her time was handsome, that was plain;
"She's not so young nor half so swell as yours," the lad replied,
And then he softly sang this sweet refrain:

Chorus.
It's a picture of my best girl, and boys, I love her dearly,
A gem is my precious pearl, who watches for me so sincerely;
I know that's she fond and true, we are sweethearts, now you can see clearly,
It's my mother, I've no other, and she'll always be my best girl.